Advice: Jackson Fun or All/Rock Star

[Eggy_the_Viking]

Hello. Hoping for some input on boats and maybe some have paddled or experienced both. Currently own a Jackson Hero and love everything about it, changed from Machno.

Had a Project 52, can’t get along with it. Really want to get into playboating, might never be the best but want to try at the very lest.

Can’t decide between the Fun or Allstar. Also, being about 175cm and 11-12 stone would the star be a better fit?

Thanks in advance

[Franky]

There's no easy answer to those questions. It's not just about fit, it's also about handling. You can only know if a boat's for you by paddling it.

For what it's worth, I have paddled an Allstar. It's a one-size-fits-all boat; I found it too big to feel like a proper playboat. I'm about the same height as you, but a bit heavier (12.5 st).

Some people buy playboats to make lower-grade river running more fun. Others want to do cartwheels and loops. For the former, a big playboat like the Allstar might be fine. For the latter, you want something small and twitchy (I assume; my attempts at these things have been abortive).

I believe opinion is divided on whether the Fun really is fun. It's a bit of a compromise, and certainly not a fully-fledged playboat. I've never paddled one though.

[Eggy_the_Viking]

Thanks. Decided on a Rockstar; no need to comprise as want to learn, so might as well do it properly.

[Jakob]

There's no easy answer to those questions. It's not just about fit, it's also about handling. You can only know if a boat's for you by paddling it.

For what it's worth, I have paddled an Allstar. It's a one-size-fits-all boat; I found it too big to feel like a proper playboat. I'm about the same height as you, but a bit heavier (12.5 st).

Some people buy playboats to make lower-grade river running more fun. Others want to do cartwheels and loops. For the former, a big playboat like the Allstar might be fine. For the latter, you want something small and twitchy (I assume; my attempts at these things have been abortive).

I believe opinion is divided on whether the Fun really is fun. It's a bit of a compromise, and certainly not a fully-fledged playboat. I've never paddled one though.

I currently own an allstar and have had a rockstar and a fun before. The fun is nice for river-running but not playboating. The rockstar is the best allround playboat of the three. For me, the allstar goes bigger on loops and other aerials but is worse at cartwheels and feels stubby.

If you only want to get one, get a rockstar.

[Franky]

Thanks. Decided on a Rockstar; no need to comprise as want to learn, so might as well do it properly.

Probably a good choice. I didn't mention this before, but I have a Rockstar and have a lot of fun in it, even if I can't do proper stunts (I'm probably too old!). A Rockstar will certainly keep you on your toes. Also I find it more comfortable than other playboats I demoed.